Staff at the Auburn store of KS Computer Technology were held at gunpoint on Monday night, the latest in a spate of reported robberies at computer retailers in Sydney's West since August.
Shortly after 6pm, two male employees of the shop on Parramatta Road, Sydney were closing the business when two men entered.
Another three also entered the shop, one producing a handgun, according to a statement issued on Tuesday morning by NSW Police. 'The two employees were assaulted, bound and had their faces covered,' the statement said.
The armed robbery follows a similar incident at gunpoint on Monday, 20 October when four men allegedly entered the retail shop of Australia Computer Online and assaulted staff and stole computer equipment and cash.
During last night's robbery, the offenders ransacked the store, finding money and computer equipment, such as LCD screens and laptop computers.
'They searched the employee's pockets taking keys, wallets and mobile phones. Taking the two employee's cars, the offenders fled with cash and computer equipment,' Police said.
KS Computer Technology's office manager, John Goschin -- who was one of the victims of the robbery -- said it lasted for around 30 minutes. He hadn't yet assessed the financial damage, but said the business was insured. He alleged that the men were of Asian appearance.
KS Computer Technology's Stanmore store was also robbed at gunpoint on 11 October, staff alleged. Tony Wang, office manager, at the Stanmore store, confirmed that his store was robbed by four men who also took laptops, LCD screens and one car during that robbery. He claimed that the robbers stole around $60,000 worth of equipment, which included the cost of the car. Both the Auburn and Stanmore stores now have security cameras fitted, he said.
On 1 September, two staff at Lidcombe retailer Newtech Systems were also allegedly robbed and bound by five men at gunpoint. Store manager Kelvin Lo claimed more than $50,000 worth of computer equipment and one company car were stolen. The robbery lasted for about one hour, he said.
On 15 August, South Strathfield retailer Big Ben Computers was allegedly robbed at 8:30pm at gun and knife point by four men of Asian appearance.
Ben Tan, manager at Big Ben Computers alleged that during the 90 minute robbery, the men escaped with more than $80,000 worth of computer equipment including laptops, PCs, LCD screens and components. The robbers stole the video footage, he alleged. He said the store is currently trading as normal but 'at night we're very worried'.